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ADDRESS 


DELIVERED    AT   THE 


ERECTION  OF  A  MONUMENT 


TO   THE    MEMORY    OF   THE    LATE 


REV.  NATHANAEL  EMMONS,  D.  D, 


AT 


FRANKLIN,  JUNE   17,   1846. 


BY  REV.   MORTIMER  BLAKE,   A.  M., 

MANSFIELD,    MASS. 


BOSTON: 

PRINTED  BY  SAMUEL  N.  DICKINSON  &  CO. 

1846. 


Fbanklim,  Wednesday  evening,  June  nth,  1846. 
Ekv.  Mortimer  Blake: 

Dear  Sir, — 
The  Emmons  Monument  Association  met  this  evening  and  passed  the  following 
Resolution : 

'  That  the  thanks  of  the  Association  be  tendered  to  you  for  your  highly  interesting 
and  appropriate  Address,  delivered  this  day,  and  that  a  copy  of  the  same  be  procured 
for  the  press.' 

We,   the    undersigned,  being  appointed  a  Committee  to    carry  said    Resolution 
into  effect,  would  respectfully  request  of  you  a  copy  for  publication. 
With  sentiments  of  respect. 

We  remain  yours,  &c., 

NATH'L  MILLER,) 

H.  C.  FISHER,        S  Committee. 

J  ON  A.  MANN,  S 


7b  Messrs.  Dr.  N.  Miller,  Capt.  H.  C.  Fisher,  and  Dr.  J.  Mann : 
Gentlemen, — 
I  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  note  of  June  17th,  requesting  a  copy  of  the  Ad- 
dress delivered  at  the  erection  of  the  monument  to  the  memory  of  Dr.  Emmons.  I 
regret  that  inability  and  unavoidable  engagements  prevented  my  bestowing  that  labor 
upon  it,  which  the  memory  of  so  great  and  good  a  man  deserves.  But  it  is  at  your 
service  as  it  is,  as  a  small  tribute  of  respect  to  his  memory,  whom  every  son  of  Frank- 
lin will  delight  to  honor. 

Yours,  with  respect, 

MORTIMER  BLAKE. 
Mansfield,  June  23, 1846. 


ADDRESS 


The  spontaneous  wortings  of  the  human  mind  are  like  a  mirror, 
reflecting  the  character  of  its  Creator.  In  the  harmony  of  its 
strongest  emotions,  we  can  see,  with  great  distinctness,  His  infinite 
wisdom  and  goodness. 

Thus  there  is  a  melancholy  regret  in  the  thought  that  we  must, 
at  some  period,  leave  this  earth  forever,  and  that  the  places  which 
now  know  us  will  know  us  no  more.  When  such  a  reflection 
presses  upon  us,  we  look  around  upon  the  things  which  bind  us 
here,  like  one  who  is  bidding  an  adieu  to  the  home  of  his  youth, 
when  he  never  expects  to  visit  it  again.  It  never  appeared  so  at- 
tractive before.  But  our  regrets  do  not  alter  the  fact.  When  wc 
have  gone  from  the  world,  it  will  be  at  length  forgotten  almost,  that 
such  a  person  ever  lived.  The  friends  we  now  know  will  gradu- 
ally cease  to  think  of  us.  The  field  of  our  labors  will  be  entered 
by  others,  ignorant  of  their  predecessors.  Strangers  will  inhabit 
our  homes,  and  strangers'  children  will  gambol  in  our  play- 
grounds. 

This  is  the  aspect  which  our  own  death  presents  to  the  imagina- 
tion. It  is  not  the  dread  of  departing  that  produces  this  sadiiet^s, 
but  a  natural  shrinking  from  being  forgotten. 

'  To  have  no  whispering  of  a  name  on  earth  !  — 
Such  thought  is  cold  about  the  heart,  and  chills  the  blood.' 

God  has  created  this  desire  of  posthumous  fame  for  our  good. 
It  becomes  a  strong  incentive,  in  every  one's  breast,  to  do  some- 
thing which  will  secure  a  remembrance  after  he  is  dead  : 

'  To  leave  a  vestige,  as  they  pass, 
That  following  ages  may  discern  they  once 
Had  been  on  earth,  and  acted  something  there.' 


But  the  evils  which  might  flow  from  this  desire  of  being  remem- 
bered are  prevented  by  a  counterbalancing  arrangement  of  our 
Maker.  He  has  provided  for  its  gratification,  by  implanting  in  the 
human  breast  the  emotion  of  esteem.  He  has  made  man  so  as  in- 
stinctivehj  to  respect  whatever  is  worthy  of  respect.  The  operation 
of  esteem  is  not  limited  to  the  present.  It  outlives  its  object,  and 
remembers  it  when  gone.  Men  cannot  forget  the  names  and 
deeds  of  those  who  have  faithfully  served  God  in  their  generation. 
Every  succeeding  century  casts  a  mellowing,  richer  tint  of  beauty 
over  their  worth,  as  it  does  over  a  painting  of  the  ancient  masters. 

God  has  controlled  the  excess  of  these  two  spontaneous  emo- 
tions, by  making  esteem  depend  upon  moral  worth  and  real  use- 
fulness. Other  kinds  of  greatness  may  produce  a  notoriety ;  but 
they  educe  no  esteem :  goodness  alone  awakens  it,  and  goodness 
does  awaken  it  involuntarily.  It  needs  no  monuments  to  preserve 
its  remembrance.     They  are  not  erected  for  such  a  purpose. 

A  bereaved  family  raises  a  stone  to  the  memory  of  the  departed 
member,  not  because  they  fear  they  shall  forget,  but  because  they 
love  to  remember.  They  love  to  express  their  affection  in  this 
only  way  now  left  to  them.  And  when  that  stone  is  visited,  it  is 
not  because  they  wish  to  revive  fading  recollections,  but  because 
they  already  feel  them  so  strongly. 

The  practise  of  erecting  monuments  in  memory  of  distinguished 
persons  and  important  events,  is  of  the  remotest  antiquity.  And 
it  is  a  practise  which  will  always  continue,  because  it  springs  from 
emotions  which  God  has  implanted  in  the  human  breast:  namely, 
not  a  fear  of  forgetting,  but  a  desire  to  express  visibly  the  remem- 
brance and  esteem  of  the  good  and  the  useful.  It  was  this  feeling 
which  erected  the  monument  to  Rachel,  and  consecrated  the  cave 
of  Machpelah,  and  the  tombs  in  the  city  of  David.  It  has  hallowed 
the  resting  places  of  the  reformers  and  martyrs,  and  has  filled  West- 
minster Abbey  with  cenotaphs.  It  guards  the  grounds  of  Mount 
Vernon,  and  the  monuments  of  Mount  Auburn. 

Now,  a  feeling  so  natural,  and  so  universal,  why  should  it  be 
repressed  in  the  case  of  one  so  useful  and  so  justly  distinguished  as 

Rev.  Nathanael  Emmons,  D.  D.  ? 

I  do  not  feel  it  necessary  to  vindicate  the  erection  of  monuments, 
in  honor  of  those  particularly,  whom  God  has  favored  with  talents, 
and  blessed  with  success  the  using  of  them  in  doing  good  ;  for 
every  one  instinctively  does  the  same  thing.  If  every  one  does  not 
approve  of  raising  a  memorial  of  granite,  he  carefully  preserves  his 
relic;  or,  at  least,  cherishes,  in  one  niche  of  his  recollections,  the 
memory  of  him  he  esteems.  The  marble  tomb-stone  and  more 
public  monument  is  only  a  visible  exhibition  of  the  same  feeling. 
There  may  be  no  more  deep  veneration  in  their  erection  than  there 


is  in  the  former  case ;  neither  is  there  any  less.  It  is  a  different 
mode  of  giving  expression  to  the  same  feeling. 

Leaving  these  general  observations,  suggested  by  the  nature  of 
the  service  which  has  assembled  us  together  to-day,  I  turn  to  a 
theme  more  particularly  appropriate  to  the  present  occasion. 

And  I  am  relieved  of  the  labor  of  attempting  any  sketch  of  the 
life  or  personal  character  of  Dr.  Emmons.  Nor  can  I  feel  that 
there  is  any  need  of  pronouncing  a  eulogy  upon  him.  The  volumes 
of  his  sermons,  where  he  has  stereotyped  the  workings  of  his  pow- 
erful mind,  are  read  by  strangers  in  almost  every  land,  and  the 
world  has  formed  its  opinion  of  his  abilities. 

These  facts,  by  diminishing  the  field,  increase  the  difficulty  of 
finding  any  theme  untouched,  within  my  ability  to  make  either 
pertinent  or  instructive.  But,  appearing  here  as  I  do,  as  one  of  the 
sons  of  this  town,  and  one  among  the  many  youth  of  his  former 
religious  instruction,  I  may  be  allowed  to  select  a  subject,  in  which 
we  claim  at  least  an  equal  interest  with  others,  though  not  of  equal 
experience;  namely, 

The  general  and  local  influence  of  Dr.  Emmons. 

We  contemplate  every  person  in  two  aspects.  His  personal 
abilities  and  his  public  usefulness.  Such  a  distinction  should  be 
made,  because  an  individual's  usefulness  depends  much  upon 
external  circumstances,  often  beyond  his  control.  Mental  and 
moral  excellence  will,  ordinarily,  work  their  way  upwards  from  the 
depressions  of  an  humble  station,  and  render  themselves  conspicu- 
ous. But  sometimes  they  remain  buried  in  obscurity,  and  their 
existence  is  never  known. 

The  reflections  of  Gray  in  the  churchyard  of  Stoke  Pogeis  are 
apposite  in  any  other  churchyard. 

'  Perhaps  in  this  neglected  spot  is  laid 

Some  heart  once  pregnant  with  celestial  fire  ; 
Hands  that  the  rod  of  empire  might  have  swayed, 

Or  waked  to  ecstasy  the  living  lyre. 
But  knowledge  to  their  eyes  her  ample  page, 

Rich  with  the  spoils  of  time,  did  ne'er  unrol; 
Chill  penury  repressed  their  noble  rage. 
And  froze  the  genial  current  of  the  soul.' 

We  honor  intellectual  endowments  as  we  do  the  work  of  God  ; 
for  they  are  His  pure  gift.  But  when  the  servant,  to  whom  God 
has  entrusted  talents,  has  diligently  employed  them  in  the  service 
of  his  master,  we  cannot  withhold  from  him  the  well-earned  enco- 
mium, — '  Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servant.'  He  who  has 
directed  all  his  energies  and  influence  to  promoting  the  best  good 
of  men,  deserves  the  highest  honor,  especially  from  them  who  have 
enjoyed  the  fruit  of  his  labors  ;  not  so  much  for  v)hat  he  is,  as  for 
what  he  has  done.     Not  for  his  abilities,  but  for  hii=,  fl deli t//. 

On  this  account  the  memory  of  Dr.  Emmons  should  be  held  in  the 


highest  esteem.  He  turned  his  intellectual  energies,  with  unabated 
ardor,  to  the  spiritual  good  of  man,  and  labored  on,  undiverted  and 
undiscouraged,  among  this  people  for  half  a  century,  till  he  rested 
from  his  labors.     And  now  his  works  do  follow  him. 

The  result  of  his  devoted  efforts  is  already  developed,  and  will 
appear  yet  more  clearly  hereafter,  and  upon  a  larger  scale.  The 
local  effects  of  his  long  ministry  may  gradually  become  less  ob- 
vious, as  new  influences  operate  upon  the  field  of  his  labor ;  but 
its  general  effects  will  extend  more  and  more,  like  the  ever-enlarg- 
ing circles  on  the  glassy  surface  of  the  woodland  lake.  To  be  more 
particular, 

I.  The  influence  of  Dr.  Emmons'  deep  investigations  upon  the 
science  of  Theology^  has  gained  for  him  a  merited  distinction. 

God  has  plainly  revealed  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  Gos- 
pel, and  has  created  an  involuntary  witness  in  their  favor,  in  the 
reason  and  conscience  of  man.  It  only  requires,  that  these  leading 
doctrines  be  distinctly  stated  to  the  understanding,  uninfluenced 
by  prejudices,  to  be  acknowledged  by  every  one.  Some  men, 
however,  by  a  strange  logic,  insist  on  denying,  or  at  least  with- 
holding their  assent  to  the  plainest  truths,  if  they  cannot  understand 
all  their  reasons  and  connections.  But  God  has  required  us  to  be- 
lieve the  truth,  and  submit  the  discovery  of  its  harmonious  relations 
to  subsequent  investigation. 

Hence  has  arisen  the  fact,  that,  while  the  doctrines  of  Revelation 
have  been  mainly  embraced  by  the  people  of  God  in  all  ages,  there 
have  prevailed  different  theories  and  modes  of  harmonizing  those 
doctrines,  and  of  inferring  from  them  the  less  obvious  truths  and 
specific  duties.  The  giant  minds  among  the  disciples  of  Christ 
have  successively  seized  upon  this  work  of  reconciliation,  and  have 
presented  their  theories  to  the  world. 

None  among  them  has  been  more  eminently  qualified  for  this 
important  labor,  and  more  successful,  than  Dr.  Emmons.  Early 
led  to  look  at  the  relations  of  the  truths  of  Revelation,  he  at  once 
brought  his  remarkable  powers  of  discrimination  and  abstraction  to 
aid  in  their  elucidation.  As  he  himself  said,  he  spent  his  energies 
rather  in  making  points,  than  in  pushing  investigation  into  unex- 
plored territory.  With  a  mind  possessing,  what  he  once  recom- 
mended to  another,  the  power  of  looking  at  a  point  half  an  hour  with- 
out diversion,  every  phase  which  a  subject  could  assume,  and  every 
difficulty  which  could  be  supposed  to  encumber  if,  must  needs  be 
brought  into  the  field  of  his  observation.  The  great  themes  of 
Divine  and  human  agency,  —  of  the  moral  character  of  man, — 
of  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit, — received  in  particular  his 
protracted  and  thorough  examination.  The  results  of  his  labors 
have  been  spread  before  the  community ;  and  doubtless,  it  is  not 


too  mtich  to  say,  that  the  researches  of  no  divine  have  had  more 
influence  upon  the  theological  investigations  of  the  times. 

If  his  views  have  not  met  with  universal  acceptance,  they  have 
induced  a  re-examination  of  the  points  whereon  he  ditFered  from 
the  current  religious  theories.  His  influence  has  thus  been  to 
produce  investigation,  and  awaken  and  bring  into  action  many 
minds  which,  otherwise,  would  have  been  content  with  less  deep 
and  thorough  researches  after  Divine  truth. 

The  Emmons  Theology,  as  his  views  of  voluntary  action  may 
be  termed,  has  called  public  attention  especially  to  that  most  un- 
welcome, but  most  momentous  of  all  truths,  our  dependence  upon  a 
holy,  sovereign  God.  And  though  some  of  his  exhibitions  of  the 
Divine  prerogatives  provoked  the  hostility  of  carnal  men,  it  was  a 
natural  result,  and  showed  his  views  to  be  correct.  The  fathers  in 
the  ministry,  who  lived  in  the  midst  of  those  controversies,  can  say, 
better  than  the  youth,  whether  the  effect  of  Dr.  Emmons'  researches 
has  not  been  very  great  upon  subsequent  theological  investigations. 
They  can  tell  whether  his  lucid  and  frank  presentations  of  his  sen- 
timents, in  their  full  extent  and  consistency,  have  not  awakened  a 
spirit  of  inquiry,  which,  where  it  is  not  already  convinced,  \vill  not 
rest  until  the  truth  of  his  opinions  has  been  thoroughly  examined 
and  settled. 

It  cannot  be  that  the  independent  investigations  of  such  a  pow- 
erful intellect  shall  be  without  influence.  They  cannot  be  scattered 
abroad,  and  taken  up  by  hundreds  engaged  in  the  same  field  of 
study,  without  producing  an  obvious  and  valuable  effect.  The 
least  effect  is,  that  they  help  settle  points  on  which  differences  of 
opinion  have  prevailed ;  they  remove  indistinctness,  and  furnish 
simple  and  perfect  definitions  ;  and  they  obviate  the  objections  and 
apparent  inconsistencies  which  result  from  misty,  imperfect  con- 
ceptions. The  influence  of  Dr.  Emmons'  studies  has  been  greater 
in  these  respects  than  can  now  be  made  apparent.  And  yet  it  has 
but  begun  to  be  felt  upon  theology.  The  works  of  the  immortal 
mind  are  themselves  immortal.  Thought,  like  the  sunlight,  never 
loses  its  illuminating  quality.  The  effects  of  the  researches  of  the 
elder  Edwards,  carried  on  in  his  contracted  Stockbridge  retreat, 
an  hundred  years  ago,  are  geometrically  increasing.  The  errors 
which  he  immediately  combatted  have  been  vitally  affected ;  and 
now  the  truth  which  he  uncovered  and  placed  upon  a  candlestick, 
is  shining  over  the  whole  domain  of  human  freedom  and  Divine 
redemption.  The  researches  of  Dr.  Emmons,  conducted  in  a  re- 
treat almost  as  obscure,  will  enstamp  themselves  upon  the  theology 
of  New  England,  and  become  more  and  more  legible,  as  the  errors 
of  the  limited  reasonings  of  men  are  abraded  away.  If  in  any  respect 
they  are  not  truth,  their  effect  will  be  to  develop  the  truth,  where- 
insoever they  shall  be  found  to  be  erroneous. 

For  these  researches,  prosecuted  with  so  much  acumen,  honest 


8 

independence  and  perseverance,  Dr.  Emmons  deserves,  and  pos- 
sesses, a  claim  to  a  lasting  remembrance  from  the  religious  world. 
And  the  spot  where  his  researches  were  first  presented  to  his  own 
congregation,  may  be  properly  designated  by  an  enduring  pillar, 
that  it  may  be  forever  known  by  the  passing  traveller.  It  is  due 
to  the  memory  of  one  of  the  most  discriminating,  frank  and  perse- 
vering minds  of  the  age  and  nation. 

II.  The  practical  influence  of  Dr.  Emmons  vpon  the  ministry 
deserves  for  him  a  lasting  memorial. 

This  topic,  though  already  alluded  to,  demands  a  separate  con- 
sideration. 

Few  clergymen,  if  any,  have  had  the  instruction  of  so  many 
candidates  for  the  Christian  ministry  as  Dr.  Emmons.  He  could 
number  no  less  than  eighty-seven  students  in  theology.  It  needed 
a  high  and  a  wide  reputation,  to  gather  about  him  so  large  a  num- 
ber of  disciples,  at  a  time  when  candidates  for  the  ministerial  office 
were  far  less  numerous  than  now. 

And  no  one  ever  secured  a  higher  place  in  the  esteem  and  con- 
fidence of  his  pupils  than  he.  The  almost  reverence  with  which 
they  still  contemplate  him,  is  an  evidence  of  his  strong  hold  upon 
their  affections.  And  this  was  not  obtained  by  intentional  labor ; 
but  was  the  natural  consequence  of  his  own  mental  preeminence, 
and  his  fidelity  to  the  duties  of  an  instructor.  It  deserves  to  be 
mentioned,  as  the  best  evidence  of  his  skill  and  thoroughness  of 
instruction,  that,  with  a  single  exception,  —  the  result  of  another 
cause  than  conviction,  —  the  eighty-seven  licentiates  have  adhered 
to  the  principles  they  imbibed,  with  an  unshaken  confidence  in 
their  truth.  He  succeeded,  in  an  unexampled  manner,  in  imparting 
his  own  clear  perceptions  to  the  minds  of  others,  and  thus  he  laid 
the  foundations  of  intelligent,  permanent  faith. 

But  his  influence  has  by  no  means  been  confined  to  his  own 
pupils.  No  writings  have  been  more  influential  than  his,  where 
they  have  been  known.  Whoever  has  read  them,  has  been  in- 
structed, usually  convinced,  by  his  lucid,  methodical  discussion  of 
truth,  and  his  own  energies  have  been  electrified  to  a  quicker  pulse 
of  activity.  Drawing  the  line,  as  he  did,  so  distinctly  and  so 
straitly,  between  '  him  that  serveth  God  and  him  that  servelh  him 
not,'  he  awakened  the  ministry  to  a  more  spiritual  and  practical 
manner  of  preaching.  He  stimulated  them  to  the  using  of  '  great 
plainness  of  speech '  on  all  those  themes  which  boncern  the  claims 
of  the  Almighty  and  the  duties  ofman.  He  especially  contributed 
to  the  rejection  of  that  style  of  passionate  appeal  in  preaching, 
which  sways  the  animal  feelings  only  for  the  moment ;  as  a  summer 
gust  whirls  the  leaves  and  bends  the  tree-tops,  but  flits  away  again 
immediately,  and  everything  recovers  its  former  position.     His  in- 


fluence  and  example  have  contributed  to  the  adoption  of  the  prin- 
ciple, that  the  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel  are  the  food  of  piety ^  — 
that  a  clear  understanding  and  hearty  embrace  of  them  are  essen- 
tial to  real  growth  in  grace  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  What  has  been  termed  '  the  laiv-iuoric,''  was 
preeminently  exhibited  under  his  ministrations. 

The  agency  of  Dr.  Emmons  in  the  formation  and  prosperity  of  the 
Massachusetts  Missionary  Society,  should  not  be  omitted,  in  show- 
ing his  influence  upon  the  ministry. 

The  idea  of  a  Domestic  Missionary  Society  was  first  struck  out 
in  an  upper  room  in  Boston,  during  the  anniversary  week  of  1799, 
at  a  private  conference  of  Dr.  Emmons  with  three  other  clergymen 
of  kindred  spirit.  From  their  consuhations  sprung  the  Massachu- 
setts Missionary  Society,  an  instrument  of  greater  good,  and  the 
starting  impetus  of  more  benevolent  enterprises,  than  any  other 
whatever.  The  prominence  of  Dr.  Emmons'  agency  in  its  forma- 
tion and  progress  is  visible  in  the  fact,  that  he  was  the  first  Presi- 
dent, the  ^rst  preacher,  and  chairman,  of  the  committee  appointed 
to  furnish  the  first  address  to  the  public.  Thus  he  has  not  only 
exerted  an  influencf"  on  the  individual  views  and  practices  of  the 
ministry,  but  he  prominently  aided  in  originating  a  Society,  which 
has  resuscitated  scores  of  feeble  churches  to  a  mature  strength  and 
ability  of  maintaining  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospt-l. 

Such  services  deserve  the  highest  tribute  of  esteem  from  his 
fellow-laborers  in  the  vineyard  from  which  he  has  been  now  for- 
ever taken.  And  that  esteem  is  appropriately  expressed  by  their 
aid  in  erecting  an  enduring  memorial  to  his  memory  in  the  field  of 
his  labors. 

III.  The  influence  of  Dr.  Emmons  upon  the  town  of  Franklin 
deserves  a  lasting'  tribute  from  its  itihabitants. 

He  settled  among  them  when  they  were  but  a  colony.  The 
impress  of  the  Puritan  character  was  indeed  upon  them,  but  it 
was  to  be  decided  by  his  pastoral  labors,  whether  that  impress 
should  be  perpetuated  and  deepened,  or  be  disfigured  and  de- 
faced. 

The  peculiar  attention  which  some  of  his  theological  opinions 
attracted  at  the  outset  of  his  ministry,  exerted  a  lasting  influence 
upon  him,  and  one,  too,  beneficial  in  its  effects.  It  led  him  to  go 
into  a  thorough  examination  of  those  opinions ;  and,  being  sat- 
isfied of  their  correctness,  to  defend  them  from  misconceptions  and 
objections. 

He  had  already  adopted  the  maxim,  that  no  church  can  flourish 

in  genuine  piety  without  sound  doctrinal  knowledge ;  and  hence, 

also,  he  turned  his  singularly  qualified  abilities  to  the  unfolding 

and  hannonizing  of  the  truths  of  the  Gospel.     He  acted  upon  this 

2 


10 

policy  throughout  his  long  ministry,  and  saw  no  reason  to  change 
it  He  did  not  exclude  the  practical  truths  of  the  Gospel.  No  di- 
vine was  ever  more  practical  or  frequent  in  the  application  of  truth 
to  the  duties  of  men  ;  but  it  was  truth  first  clearly  understood  and 
enforced  by  invincible  arguments. 

The  results  of  his  labors  are  before  the  world.  The  practical 
operation  of  his  views  of  ministerial  duty  to  his  flock  has  had  a 
half  a  century  to  develop  itself.  And  we  say,  without  any  dis- 
paragement of  other  policies  and  other  fields,  that  the  town  of 
Franklin  has  obtained  an  enviable  notoriety.  The  name  of  Em- 
mons has  made  it  known,  when  it  had  nothing  else  to  bring  it  into 
notice. 

We  take  pleasure  in  pointing  the  stranger,  passing  through  our 
retired  town,  to  the  single  spire  surmounting  our  only  sanctuary 
of  God,  in  a  population  of  nearly  two  thousand  souls.  While 
other  towns  have  been  parceled  out  into  different  parishes  of  op- 
posite faith,  this  has  hitherto  remained  united.  Other  churches 
have  been  corrupted  unto  mortal  heresy,  under  the  deadening  leth- 
argy of  liberalism,  or  rent  almost  to  extinction  by  schisms  ;  but  this 
has  stood  steadfast  in  '  the  faith  once  given  to  the  saints.'  And 
we  love  to  attribute  it,  by  God's  blessing,  to  the  labors  and  influ- 
ence of  the  venerable  father  of  this  people.  Hardly  a  case  of  de- 
fection from  the  truth  has  ever  occurred  among  those  who  were 
turned  unto  God  under  Dr.  Emmons'  ministry.  Here  there  has 
been  emphatically  '  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism.'  A  live  ad- 
vocate of  any  of  the  different  sects  was  a  rare  sight  to  our  youth- 
ful eyes.  May  the  friends  of  Christ  here  long  continue  to  strive  to- 
gether for  the  faith  of  the  Gospel ! 

It  has  been  inquired  whether  Dr.  Emmons  had  much  influence 
over  the  children  and  youth  of  his  parish.  In  answer,  —  and  I 
speak  the  conviction  of  all  my  former  youthful  companions, —  I 
say,  no  one  had  so  entirely  our  veneration.  I  think  of  no  better 
word  to  express  our  emotion.  We  felt  not  fear,  but  deep,  involun- 
tary respect.     We  looked  upon  Dr.  Emmons  as  God's  ambassador. 

We  can  never  forget  our  annual  gatherings  at  the  school-house, 
in  the  autumn,  to  recite  to  him  the  Lord's  Prayer,  the  Command- 
ments and  the  Assembly's  Catechism.  We  remember  the  sedu- 
lous preparation  we  used  to  make,  to  pass  the  examination  with 
credit  to  our  parents  and  ourselves.  The  enjoyment  of  his  ap- 
proving smile  still  thrills  in  our  memory ;  and  the  truths  we  then 
learned,  and  his  pithy  observations  to  us,  are  now  as  bright  in  our 
recollection  as  ever. 

A  collateral  result  of  Dr.  Emmons'  intellectual  labors  in  the 
Gospel  was,  to  quicken  the  intellects  of  his  people.  His  discourses 
provoked  present  attention  and  subsequent  reflection.  The  minds 
of  his  hearers  grew  under  the  stimulus  of  his  weekly  exercises, 
always  so  transparent,  and  yet  so  profound  and  thorough.     The 


11 

effect  was,  to  form  a  community  noticeable  for  their  general  in- 
telligence, especially  upon  religious  subjects,  where  errors  in  doc- 
trine could  not  easily  hide  themselves  from  popular  detection,  and 
where  truth  was  enjoyed  from  its  own  attractiveness. 

As  an  index  of  the  degree  of  intelligence,  it  may  not  be  arrogant 
to  say,  that  few  towns,  if  any,  of  the  same  size,  can  claim  so  many 
liberally  educated  sons  as  Franklin. 

There  have  been  at  least  twenty-five  graduates  from  this  town 
since  the  date  of  Dr.  Emmons'  settlement,  besides  a  large  number 
who  were  arrested  in  their  studies,  by  death  and  other  causes,  be- 
fore their  completion,  it  would  be  invidious  to  say  any  thing  of 
their  success  in  the  various  liberal  professions.  But  the  world  has 
honored  the  memory  of  our  Aldis,  and  our  Fisher ;  and  still  loves 
to  employ,  in  its  service,  the  abilities  of  our  Metcalf,  and  our  Mil- 
ler, and  our  Mann.  We  will  not  say  more,  lest  we,  who  are  per- 
mitted and  were  expected  to  share  in  the  public  exercises  of  this 
occasion,  '  should  seem  to  commend  ourselves  unto  you.'  For 
we  all,  except  the  successor  of  our  former  venerated  pastor,  claim 
among  our  honors,  that  of  a  birth-right  in  this  highly  favored 
town.  We  cannot  say  less,  in  developing  the  influence  of  Dr. 
Emmons  in  forming  the  intellectual  character  of  this  community. 

As  time  passes  along,  and  new  generations  come  upon  the 
stage,  the  immediate  effects  of  Dr.  Emmons'  ministry  will  become 
less  obvious,  but  they  cannot  entirely  vanish  away.  Whatever 
Franklin  is  for  good,  we  hesitate  not  to  say,  is  attributable,  under 
God,  to  his  pastoral  labors.  His  successors  can  only  perpetuate 
his  works. 

His  memory  is  justly  held  in  the  highest  respect  by  every  one 
who  prizes  the  results  which  he  aimed  to  secure.  Children's  chil- 
dren will  be  made  familiar  with  his  history  ;  and  his  religious 
axioms  will  be  repeated,  as  household  words,  by  generations  yet 
to  come.  He  has  exhibited  the  blessings  of  a  permanent  pastoral 
relation,  and  ol  the  faithful  indoctrination  of  a  chwch  into  the  truths 
of  the  Gospel. 

If  the  results  of  his  labors  were  confined  within  the  boundaries 
of  this  parish,  he  would  deserve  of  it  a  memorial  no  less  enduring 
than  that  which  is  erected  to-day. 

But  I  must  close.  A  simple,  dark-colored  slab,  with  a  simple, 
matter-of-fact  inscription,  marks  the  spot  where  the  dust  of  Dr. 
Emmons  is  mouldering  back  to  its  kindred  dust.  The  scene  of 
his  labors, —  his  study  and  his  pulpit,  —  have  likewise  undergone 
a  change.  In  fact,  there  is  little  of  a  material  kind  which  remains 
unaltered,  to  suggest  to  the  eye  him  whom  we  may  truly  call  the 
father  of  Franklin.  The  children  he  baptized  are  becoming  the 
grey-haired  fathers.  The  members  he  admitted  to  the  church 
have  mostly  followed  him  to  the  church  of  the  first-born  in  Heaven. 
Even  the  eyes  which  can  recal  the  image  of  his  venerable  person 


12 

are  fading ;  and  soon  he  will  be  personally  unknown.  But  his 
name  is  written  among  the  greatest  of  American  divines,  and  his 
works  will  remain  to  influence  the  Church  with  extending  power 
forever. 

Every  one  feels  the  propriety  of  honoring  one  whom  God  has 
so  highly  honored,  by  so  simple  a  means  as  the  erection  of  a 
plain,  granite  pyramid.  A  monument,  significant,  in  its  shape,  of 
the  solidity  of  the  truth  in  w^hose  masterly  defence  rests  the  founda- 
tion of  his  reputation  ;  and,  in  its  materia/,  of  the  lasting  renown 
which  his  fidelity  to  his  high  calling  has  secured. 

As  this  assembly  pass  by  that  monument  on  their  way  to  and 
from  the  sanctuary,  let  it  ever  remind  them  of  the  blessings  of  the 
clear  views  of  Divine  truth,  and  of  the  union  in  supporting  and 
promoting  them,  which  they  enjoy  through  his  labors  for  whom  it 
is  erected ;  and  may  they  be  thereby  incited  to  cling  closely  and 
heartily  to  that  truth,  and  preserve  unbroken  that  unity,  which  was 
the  subject  of  his  last  expiring  desires. 


ADDRESS 

At  making"  the  Deposits  in  the  Recess  of  the  Monument,  by  the 
President  of  the  Association^  Rev.  T.  D.  Southivorth,  A.  M. 


It  is  natural  to  mankind  to  cherish  the  memory  and  honor  the 
name  of  those  whom  they  esteem  and  love. 

This  principle  prompts  them  to  devise  various  expedients  to 
perpetuate  their  memory  when  dead.  Among  these,  different 
kinds  of  monuments  have  been  common.  The  material  usually 
chosen  is  stone,  as  the  most  imperishable,  signifying  thereby  their 
desire  that  the  name  of  those  they  would  honor,  should  be  as 
lasting. 

To  kings,  warriors,  statesmen,  poets,  and  philanthropists,  such 
monumenis  have  been  erected. 

Affection,  veneration,  and  gratitude,  have  done  the  same  for 
friends,  benefactors,  and  the  minister  of  religion. 

Jacob  raised  a  pillar  over  the  grave  of  his  beloved  wife  Rachel  ; 
and,  —  to  mention  a  distinguished  instance,  one  whose  sacred 
literature  is  learned  in  our  schools,  whose  infant  hymns  are  lisped 
in  the  nursery,  and  whose  holy  songs  are  sung  in  every  land,  en- 
kindling the  fire  of  devotion  in  ten  thousand,  thousand  hearts, — 
now,  after  the  lapse  of  a  hundred  years  since  his  decease,  a  monu- 
ment is  erected  to  the  name  of  Isaac  Walls.  Under  the  infliience 
of  the  same  feelings,  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  raised  a  monu- 
mental stone  over  the  grave  of  their  first  minister. 

And,  prompted  by  the  same  motives,  we  formed  ourselves  into 
an  association  bearing  the  name  of  the  venerable  and  beloved  Em- 
mons, for  the  purpose  of  raising  an  enduring  memorial  of  his 
worth. 

Considering  his  character,  what  more  suitable  one  could  we  raise 
than  this  granite  pillar  ?  Like  this,  it  was  solid,  firm,  immovable, 
resisting  uninjured,  violent   attacks.      Marked,  well-defined    and 


14 

prominent  were  the  delineations.  No  one  could  mistake.  Appar- 
ent, unadorned,  it  stood  in  simple  beauty  and  naked  grandeur. 

Raise  we,  then,  this  pillar,  a  proper,  unerring  memento  of  his 
name. 

And  may  it  ever  stand,  while  ihe  world  stands,  a  perpetual  me- 
morial of  his  goodness  and  greatness. 

Agreeably  to  custom,  on  such  occasions,  I  now  make  a  deposit 
of  such  things  as  the  Association  have  directed :  namely,  — 

(Here  the  several  articles  were  specified.) 

These  we  repose  here,  that  in  case  of  dire  necessity,  or  by  some 
revolution  of  nature,  or  outrageous  vandalism,  this  moimment 
should  be  thrown  down,  and  these  sacred  relics  exposed,  it  shall, 
at  least,  be  known  that  Emmons  lived  and  toiled  and  died  in 
Franklin,  and  that  there  were  those  who  cherished  his  memory  in 
lasting  affection. 


ORIGINAL  HYMN. 

BY    MES.   J.    POND. 

1.  'T  IS  meet  that  we  should  gather  here, 

In  love  around  our  father's  dust; 
'Tis  meet  affection's  hand  should  rear 
This  stone,  in  memory  of  the_;W. 

2.  God  honored  him  with  length  of  days, 

And  much  to  honor  God  he  sought; 
And  now,  though  low  in  death  he  lays, 
The  righteous  man  is  not  forgot. 

3.  His  voice,  though  small,  was  heard  afar, 

And  hushed  attention  could  command; 
Yea,  truthful  words  here  spoken,  are 
Still  echoed  in  the  '  Mother  Land.' 

4.  The  shepherd's  weary  watch  he  took, 

And  in  his  labors  we  rejoice ; 
Faithful  through  life,  he  ne'er  forsook. 
His  first  loved  flock  —  his  only  choice. 

5.  Could  yonder  mansion  but  declare, 

What  prayers  —  what  alms  would  be  revealed! 
The  orphan's  grief  was  softened  there  ; 
The  widow's  broken  heart  was  healed. 

6.  What  is  the  glory  warriors  boast. 

Weighed  with  the  crown  the  Christian  wears  ? 
That,  is  a  laurel  wreath,  at  most, 
This  shineth  'mid  the  dying  stars. 


ORIGINAL   HYMN 

BY    BIES.    M.    A.    DEAN. 

They  bear  the  warrior  to  his  rest. 
And  thousands  shout  his  deeds  of  fame, 

And  raise  upon  his  faithful  breast 
A  pile  to  consecrate  his  name. 

And  it  is  well  —  a  patriot's  glory 

Should  gild  the  page  of  endless  story. 


UC,SB  LIBRARY 

16 

2.  In  yonder  yard,  silent  and  low, 

Our  warrior  rests  his  weary  head  ! 
Fearless  and  firm,  he  met  the  foe, 

And  boldly  on  to  victory  led  — 
The  powers  of  darkness  all  were  routed 
When  he  the  Gospel  trumpet  shouted. 

3.  Dust  unto  dust,  that  aged  form 

Long  ere  this  hour,  hath  mouldered  back  - 
And  we,  his  children,  through  the  storm 

Of  time,  behold  his  honored  track; 
A  radiant  pathway  guiding  ever 
Where  storms  and  tempests  do  not  gather. 

4.  Why  raise  we  now  this  granite  here, 

Since  we,  his  name  cannot  forget  ? 
Treasured  in  memories  ever  dear 

'T  will  live  —  when  suns  forever  set  — 
While  gratitude  the  heart  is  cheering 
Affection  here,  this  pile  is  rearing. 

5.  Then  lift  the  granite  high  to-day  ! 

Like  mountains  let  \\  firmly  stand ! 
As  age  on  age  shall  roll  away, 

A  burning  light  to  every  land, 
In  silent  grandeur,  tell  the  story 
How  Emmons  lived !  our  country's  glory ! 


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